Columbarium

ABSTRACT

A columbarium including, among other things, a block having a top exterior surface including a top projection having a top projection tapered end, and a bottom exterior surface including a bottom slot having a bottom slot tapered receiver.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to funeral articles. More specifically, the invention is directed to columbaria.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the memorial industry, cremains are often entombed in columbaria that are constructed of heavy materials such as stone and concrete. The weight of this type of structure usually requires a large concrete foundation that is constructed by use of heavy equipment. It has been found that there is a need for a columbarium that is lightweight to reduce the size of the foundation and the need for heavy equipment during construction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In summary, the invention is directed to a columbarium including, among other things, a block having a top exterior surface including a top projection having a top projection tapered end, and a bottom exterior surface including a bottom slot having a bottom slot tapered receiver.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a block of a columbarium according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of such block;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of such block;

FIG. 4 is a back elevational view of such block;

FIG. 5 is a left side elevational view of such block;

FIG. 6 is a right side elevational view of such block;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of such block;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of such block;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view showing two blocks joined together to form an embodiment of a columbarium according to the invention;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view showing three blocks joined together to form an embodiment of a columbarium according to the invention;

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view showing four blocks joined together with covers and attachment devices to form an embodiment of a columbarium according to the invention;

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view similar to FIG. 11 showing an embodiment of a columbarium according to the invention;

FIG. 13 is a back elevation view showing four blocks joined together to form an embodiment of a columbarium according to the invention;

FIG. 14 is a detailed view showing the fastening of four blocks of an embodiment of a columbarium according to the invention;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described in detail with reference being made to the drawings. As shown in the drawings, an embodiment a columbarium according the invention is generally indicated by the reference number “10.” An embodiment of a block of the columbarium 10 is generally indicated by the reference number “12.”

Referring to FIGS. 1-8, the block 12 includes a top wall 14 including a top exterior surface 16 and a top interior surface 18; a bottom wall 20 including a bottom exterior surface 22 and a bottom interior surface 24; a right side wall 26 including a right side exterior surface 28 and a right side interior surface 30; a left side wall 32 including a left side exterior surface 34 and a left side interior surface 36; and a back wall 38 including a back exterior surface 40 and a back interior surface 42. The right and left side walls 26 and 32 and the back wall 38 extend generally perpendicularly between the top and bottom walls 14 and 20. The interior surfaces 18, 24, 30 and 42 form a niche 44 having an opening 46 for the positioning of, for example, cremains. The interior surfaces 18, 24, 30 and 42 include a cover support member 48 adjacent to the opening 46.

Referring to FIGS. 1-10, 15 and 16, the block 12 includes a first top projection 50 and a second top projection 52 positioned on the top exterior surface 16. The first top projection 50 includes a first top projection tapered end 54, and the second top projection 52 includes a second top projection tapered end 56. The block 12 includes a top fastener projection 58 positioned on the top exterior surface 16 between the first and second top projections 50 and 52.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-10, 15 and 16, the block 12 includes a first bottom slot 60 and a second bottom slot 62 positioned on the bottom exterior surface 22. The first bottom slot 60 includes a first bottom slot tapered receiver 64, and the second bottom slot 62 includes a second bottom slot tapered receiver 66. The block 12 includes a bottom fastener projection slot 68 positioned on the bottom exterior surface 22 between the first and second bottom slots 60 and 62.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-10, 15 and 16, the block 12 includes a first right side wall slot 70 and a second right side wall slot 72 positioned on the right side exterior surface 28. The first right side wall slot 70 includes a first right side wall slot tapered receiver 74, and the second right side wall slot 72 includes a second right side wall slot tapered receiver 76. The block 12 includes a first right side wall projection 78 and a second right side wall projection 80 positioned on the right side exterior surface 28 between the first and second right side wall slots 70 and 72. The first right side wall projection 78 includes a first right side wall projection flat end 82, and the second right side wall projection 80 includes a second right side wall projection flat end 84. The block 12 includes a right side wall fastener projection slot 86 positioned on the right side exterior surface 28 between the first and second right side wall slots 70 and 72.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-10, 15 and 16, the block 12 includes a first left side wall projection 88 and a second left side wall projection 90 positioned on the left side exterior surface 34. The first left side wall projection 88 includes a first left side wall projection tapered end 92, and the second left side wall projection 90 includes a second left side wall projection tapered end 94. The block 12 includes a first left side wall slot 96 and a second left side wall slot 98 positioned on the left side exterior surface 34 between the first and second left side wall projections 88 and 90. The first left side wall slot 96 includes a first side wall slot flat receiver 100, and the second left side wall slot 98 includes a second left side wall slot flat receiver 102. The block 12 includes a left side wall fastener projection 104 positioned on the left side exterior surface 34 between the first and second left side wall slots 96 and 98.

Referring to FIGS. 9-16, the columbarium 10 can be assembled, for example, by positioning the left side wall 32 of a first block 12′ adjacent to the right side wall 26 of a second block 12″ so that the first and second left side wall projections 88 and 90 are positioned in the first and second right side wall slots 70 and 72, respectively, the first and second right side wall projections 78 and 80 are positioned in the first and second left side wall slots 96 and 98, respectively, and the left side wall fastener projection 104 is positioned in the right side wall projection slot 86.

Still referring to FIGS. 9-16, the bottom wall 20 of a third block 12′″ is positioned adjacent to the top wall 14 of the first block 12′ so that first and second top projections 50 and 52 are positioned in the first and second bottom slots 60 and 62, respectively, and the top fastener projection 58 is positioned in the bottom fastener projection slot 68.

Referring to FIGS. 11-14, a fourth block 12″″ is positioned adjacent to the second and third blocks 12″ and 12′″. In this regard, the respective side, top and bottom walls are positioned adjacent next to one another as described above with respect to the first, second and third blocks 12′, 12″ and 12′″.

Referring to FIGS. 9-16, the first and second top projection tapered ends 54 and 56 are positioned in the first and second bottom slot tapered receivers 64 and 66, respectively, and the first and second left side wall projection tapered ends 92 and 94 are positioned in the first and second right side wall slot tapered receivers 74 and 76, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the engagement of these tapered ends with these tapered receivers results in a wedging action to stabilize the blocks 12′, 12″, 12′″ and 12″″ of the columbarium 10. Further, the first and second right side wall projection flat ends 82 and 84 engage the first and second left side wall flat receivers 100 and 102, respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 11-14, the columbarium 10 can include a cover 106 that is positioned on the cover support member 48 and attached to the block 12 by a threaded fastener 108. A decorative washer 110 can be positioned between the fastener 108 and the cover 106. In an embodiment, there are four covers 106′, 106″, 106′″ and 106″″ that are attached to the four blocks 12′, 12″, 12′″ and 12″″, respectively. These covers are attached to these blocks by four threaded fasteners 108′, 108″, 108′″ and 108″″ that are positioned in corresponding threaded openings 112 in the top fastener projection 58 and the left side wall fastener projection 104. Further, four decorative washers 110′, 110″, 110′″, and 110″″ are positioned adjacent to these fasteners and covers.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 13 and 14, the back wall 38 of the block 12 includes one or more openings 114 for the positioning of one or more fastening clips 116. In an embodiment, the back wall 38 includes first, second, third and fourth corners 118, 120, 122 and 124 that include first, second, third and fourth corner recesses 126, 128, 130 and 132, respectively. Each of these recesses has the shape of a quarter circle. In an embodiment, each recess includes two openings 114. When the first, second, third and fourth blocks 12′, 12″, 12′″ and 12″″ are positioned adjacent to one another, the first, second, 126, 128, 130 and 132 of the respective blocks form a center recess 134 having a circular shape. As shown in FIG. 14, four fastening clips 116 can be positioned in the openings 114 to secure the blocks 12′, 12″, 12′″, 12″″ with respect to one another.

Still referring to FIGS. 4, 13 and 14, the back wall 38 can include one or more openings 136 that extend between the back exterior and interior surfaces 40 and 42. Fastening devices can be positioned in these openings to secure the block 12 to any accepting surface.

In an embodiment, the block 12 can be made from plastic. For example, the plastic can be an injection molded, high-strength, lightweight thermoplastic. In an embodiment, the cover 106 is made of stone. For example, the stone can be granite or marble. In an embodiment, the fasteners 108, washers 110 and fastening clips 116 are made of metal.

As it will be appreciated, the blocks 12 can be assembled in vertical or horizontal rows or columns as described above to form a columbarium 10. Once assembled, the bottom exterior surfaces 22 will be flat and square for installation on a level foundation. Due to the lightweight construction of the blocks 12, such foundation can be relatively lightweight and constructed without the use of heavy equipment. In an embodiment, an exterior finish can be positioned on the top, right and left exterior surfaces 16, 28 and 34 of the blocks 12. For example, such exterior finish can be granite, brick, or wood. In an embodiment, caulk can be positioned on the blocks 12 and the exterior finish to protect the columbarium 10 from the elements.

While the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it should be understood that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the essential scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments, but that the invention shall include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. 

1. A columbarium comprising: a block having a top exterior surface including a top projection having a top projection tapered end, a bottom exterior surface including a bottom slot having a bottom slot tapered receiver, and a back exterior surface including four quarter-circle recesses each having an opening for the positioning of a fastener.
 2. The columbarium of claim 1, wherein the block has a right side exterior surface including a right side wall slot having a right side wall slot tapered receiver, and a left side exterior surface including a left side wall projection having a left side wall projection tapered end.
 3. The columbarium of claim 1, wherein the block has a right side exterior surface including a right side wall projection having a right side wall projection flat end, and a left side exterior surface including a left side wall slot having a left side wall projection flat receiver.
 4. The columbarium of claim 1, wherein the block has a top fastener projection and a bottom fastener projection slot.
 5. The columbarium of claim 1, wherein the block has a right side wall fastener projection slot and a left side wall fastener projection.
 6. The columbarium of claim 1, wherein the block has a cover support member.
 7. (canceled)
 8. The columbarium of claim 1, wherein the block has a back wall including an opening for the positioning of a fastener.
 9. The columbarium of claim 1, wherein the block is made of plastic.
 10. The columbarium of claim 9, wherein the plastic is a lightweight plastic.
 11. A columbarium comprising: a first block having a top exterior surface including a top projection having a top projection tapered end; a second block having a bottom exterior surface including a bottom slot having a bottom slot tapered receiver, the top projection being positioned in the bottom slot so that the top projection tapered end engages the bottom slot tapered receiver; and wherein each of the first and second blocks has a back exterior surface including four quarter-circle recesses each having an opening for the positioning of a fastener.
 12. The columbarium of claim 11, wherein the first block has a left side exterior surface including a left side wall projection having a left side wall projection tapered end; and a third block having a right side exterior surface including a right side wall slot having a right side wall slot tapered receiver, the left side wall projection being positioned in the right side wall slot so that the left side wall projection tapered end engages the right side wall slot tapered receiver.
 13. The columbarium of claim 11, wherein the first block has a left side exterior surface including a left side wall slot having a left side wall projection flat receiver; and a third block having a right side exterior surface including a right side wall projection having a right side wall projection flat end, the right side wall projection being positioned in the left side wall slot so that the right side wall projection flat end engages the left side wall projection flat receiver.
 14. The columbarium of claim 11, wherein the first block has a top fastener projection and the second block has a bottom fastener projection slot, the top fastener projection being positioned in the bottom fastener projection slot.
 15. The columbarium of claim 12, wherein first block has a left side wall fastener projection, and the third block has a right side wall fastener projection slot, the left side wall projection being positioned in the right side wall fastener projection slot.
 16. The columbarium of claim 11, wherein the first and second blocks are made of plastic.
 17. The columbarium of claim 16, wherein the plastic is a lightweight plastic.
 18. The columbarium of claim 11, wherein the first and second blocks are connected together by fasteners.
 19. The columbarium of claim 11, wherein each of the first and second blocks includes a cover support member.
 20. The columbarium of claim 19, wherein first and second covers are positioned on the cover support members of the first and second blocks. 